![Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.southernliving.com/thmb/9BmCXP03-84iuBs9aCbbZXkOhuI=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/southern-living-Sour_Cream_Potatoes_073-de4325074e69458e979157393e075435.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
To some, the definition of a comforting dinner is meat and potatoes. When the cooler months roll around, nothing beats the hearty flavors of this classic combination. No matter how they're served, potatoes are a particularly beloved suppertime side. Baked, fried, and roasted potatoes are all welcome additions to a menu, but at most family dinner tables, it's hard to beat mashed potatoes. The velvety texture mixes with butter and cream to create a side that's easy to pile high on your plate. Plus, you can make the case that mashed potatoes can be a whole meal on their own. Skeptical? Just look at this list. Want an irresistible side that'll be the talk of the potluck? Our creamy recipes will do the trick. So, if you're searching for the best mashed potatoes recipe, look no further—we're sure these will be a smashing success.
Mashed Potatoes With Cream Cheese
![Southern Living Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese in a serving bowl](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/r4_T095xjcuDrUTcdZ2KoHXXObU=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Southern-Living-Cream-Cheese_Mashed_Potatoes_015-febf3630b44242eabbaeb8283692ec5d.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
This new recipe is basically a classic mashed potato recipe with one caveat—we swapped your usual milk or cream with cream cheese and sour cream, which yields a totally decadent, creamy result.
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
![Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/rAvTQU26gTkJpsZM7cCTFJ4GB8E=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Southern_Living_Instant_Pot_Potatoes_012-f8705514f0f74da9b1899d44cf30f4f9.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
We’ll use our beloved Instant Pots to whip up just about anything, so it was only a matter of time before we developed a mashed potato recipe using the handy kitchen tool. “These are delicious—and beautiful,” wrote one five-star reviewer.
Rutabaga-Sweet Potato Swirl
![Rutabaga-sweet potato swirl in green casserole dish](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/tmLULqW7axnOBk28zv7PONT-wPw=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/southern-living-27307_Rutabaga_0062_preview-ee446c65a100474e86d97fe7df1ddc12.jpg)
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
Rutabagas are the underdog of the turnip family, but this creamy, beautiful recipe from author Jessica B. Harris puts them front and center. Harris even recommends swapping the sweet potatoes for more rutabagas to let them shine.
Fried Mashed Potato Balls
![fried mashed potato balls](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/DVGVCizw1-jmF32-t8GtnSg33Bw=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Fried-Mashed-Potato-Balls_16x9_190-f9bd841c781f4b1b80fd9e27532ec191.jpg)
Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
You know what they say—everything's better fried. Fried mashed potatoes are guaranteed to be a hit at the dinner table. This recipe even uses refrigerated mashed potatoes to keep it simple and cut down on active time.
Homemade Mashed Potatoes
![Southern Living Homemade Mashed Potatoes in a bowl to serve](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/UqwSE9s86PeqXSnm_AxSLqaT7mc=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Homemade-Mashed-Potatoes_Beauty1_Audit7042-59-2-02e99f26e28f455a99191ee7d00a8a63.jpg)
Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall
No Southern holiday is complete without a mashed potatoes, and this classic recipe is tried-and-true. It's like spooning a bit of nostalgia onto a your plate.
Joanna Gaines' Mashed Potatoes Recipe
![Joanna Gaines Mashed Potatoes](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/yXkLo9j4Nol5n2sh7p1st0AFHDQ=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/mashed-potatoes-c-amy-neunsinger-2000-462c3833d5b641288bc148b8ab88319b.jpg)
We love Chip and Joanna Gaines, and if they love these mashed potatoes, then we do, too. Gaines leaves the skin on her potatoes which just adds another layer of goodness to this recipe.
Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes With Cream Cheese
![mashed potatoes in a white oval dish](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/7zxV1KQnsstIzOlYyZNz7i1suE0=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Make-ahead-mashed-potatoes-01_3x2-bc2da73a49a3499b959f5f1951a1477a.jpg)
Hannah Zimmerman / Southern Living
This pick is for everyone juggling a long Thanksgiving or holiday menu. Just bring the potatoes to room temperature the day of and bake according to instructions. You can make this comforting side up to two days in advance to help make your holiday at little less hectic.
Cheesy Potato Casserole
![Cheesy Potato Casserole](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/h2laECPOxHKz4ZHi9xmf7abApIk=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2582801_6make_01_0_0_0_0_0_0-a3bb54607cd84e4f9770e2e96f9175c1.jpg)
Sometimes we just need cheese and butter. Our side-dish casserole will warm your soul in the only way that mashed potatoes can. This recipe is the ultimate, hearty side that will also make an impressive presentation on the holiday sideboard.
Mashed Potato Bar
![Mashed Potato Bar](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/Ek74VF1fiIQ_QdfvxlXtcNC6rIA=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2582001_frien_oy-potatobar-cr_1_0_0_0_0-0d8b5d657008451d8369991d0a9d2d50.jpg)
This is a surefire way to make sure everyone's happy at the dinner table. With a spread of tasty topping options, there is something for everyone.
Creamy Whipped Potato Casserole
![Creamy Whipped Potato Casserole](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/srIvnDSxUB5YuE2CN6xwnHWKi74=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2617301_bring_whipped_potato_casserole_079_1_0-2000-c4d3a3541ed04f7c8d05db89dc4cc9b7.jpg)
This recipe takes your classic mashed potatoes to a whole new level. We brown the butter in this recipe to really add to the richness of the dish.
Easiest Mashed Potatoes
![Southern Living Easiest Mashed Potatoes](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/k1PMfxXuxBHYsZZv5tpcu0Q-qPY=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/27514_ST_Mashies_049-1-fa65727dbeb1498495e3498705dc5116.jpg)
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
This recipe uses a mixture of potatoes for a creamy, fluffy texture. Use a ricer instead of a masher for the smoothest results. Begin the recipe ahead of time by cooking the potatoes in advance and adding the remaining ingredients while reheating.
Browned Butter Mashed Sweet Potatoes
![Southern Living Brown Butter Mashed Sweet Potatoes](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/WqKfgbQCjsFaiQWBWarMpkO4y8Q=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/27434_Special-Sides_-285-2-5f877a4f4a3a4fabb313652617ef16d6.jpg)
Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Micah Morton, Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner
Set out this lightly sweet dish in place of the usual marshmallow-topped casserole. Creamy and flavored with maple syrup, these sweet potatoes have a nutty taste thanks to the browned butter.
Cheesy Baked Mashed Potatoes
![Southern Living Cheesy Baked Mashed Potatoes](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/hf8ZeqPvVpqHe_s5IFomTtB6138=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Cheesy_Mashed_Potatoes_009-c1189591af6b479bbd8511852513821c.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Creamy, cheesy potatoes you can make ahead of time? Sounds great. You'll want to make these baked mashed potatoes for holidays, entertaining, and weeknights.
Twice-Baked Potato Casserole
![Twice-Baked Potato Casserole - Southern Living](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/HOSIk98TJekoMSFoZEtOAhqkLMU=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Twice_Baked_Potato_Cassserole_011-6037efabf4aa401a931ef1b77764ef68.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Chunks of baked potatoes stud this creamy mashed potato casserole. Add your favorite toppings like bacon, green onions, and lots of cheese.
Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
![Southern Living Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes in a bowl to serve, topped with butter and thyme leaves](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/ssoP2YLoCZsTz6mxjMZc3_Gxbas=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/27517_LU_CauliPotats_438-0e5f4828b29947199113f8f7230cc3d4.jpg)
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
Using half potatoes and half cauliflower lowers the carbs in this classic side. Flavored with garlic, salt, pepper, and buttermilk, this dish tastes like the real thing.
Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes
![Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/XPSUecDLAfolufPHe1-E3nGYtec=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/InstantPotMashedSweetPotatoes_0001-S-2000-87fb4dd3c45a4788bfcbf0dbb7c01f57.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Rishon Hanners
Using the Instant Pot for this dish lets you save the oven for the main course. Choose similarly sized potatoes for even cooking.
Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes
![Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/XwliSKnKtfL7OO21O5Hw6gScxjw=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Southern-Living_Sour_Cream_Potatoes_073-9e2b5649ddfe427fbde633980bce9aa0.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Tart, tangy sour cream brings a flavor punch to old-fashioned mashed potatoes that milk just can’t. You can doll this recipe up with some fresh garlic or shredded cheese, but it’s wonderful as-is.